WHAT A PARENT WILL DO FOR A SICK CHILD

I Never Envisioned That One Day I'd Be Buying Marijuana For My Kid

I never thought I would be buying "pot" at my age, but that's what's
so interesting about life -- you just never know what's around the
corner, do you?

There are no limits to what a parent will do for their sick child. On
July 9, 2007, we made our first trip to the Medical Compassion Clinic
in Toronto.

Our son suffers from Tourette syndrome and had run the gamut of
medications. I hoped one day pot would be made legal -- anything to
help him mellow out and stop the tics. Well, it is legal now, but not
for everyone.

According to the Medical Compassion Clinic, medical studies have
confirmed what people have known for more than 5,000 years -- that
marijuana has practical therapeutic value.

In May 1999, Jim Wakeford, an AIDS patient, was granted the legal
right to use marijuana. In July 2000, Health Canada set up a
mechanism whereby other seriously ill patients could do the same. An
exemption to the Canadian narcotics law now makes it legal for
medical patients to use medicinal marijuana for symptom relief.

Medicinal marijuana must be prescribed by a medical practitioner, a
person who has been authorized to practise medicine under the law of
the province. There are several medical conditions that qualify:
AIDS, HIV infection, cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, epilepsy,
severe arthritis, fibromyalgia and Tourette syndrome are just a few.

In his Review of Human Studies on Medical Use of Marijuana (1996),
Dale H. Gieringer discusses the fact that there have been hundreds of
studies on the medical use of marijuana. He states one of the best
uses of smoked marijuana is in cancer patients who are undergoing
chemotherapy. As well, anecdotal evidence supports the benefits of
marijuana in reducing ocular pressure and in the treatment of depression.

The Medical Compassion Clinic is a federally incorporated company
that pays corporate taxes. GST is paid on every gram of medicine
bought. The government makes revenue through the taxes collected from
the clinic. It is run by medical patients for other medical patients.

The process to become eligible for medicinal marijuana takes time. An
application form can be downloaded from the clinic's website. This
form has to be filled out by your doctor. It's the doctor who
determines whether you qualify or not.

Two forms of valid identification are also needed, including at least
one photo ID. If that's not possible, two passport-size pictures
signed and dated on the back of each photo by your doctor will do.
These need to be submitted along with your completed application
form. All of these can be mailed to the clinic or brought in person.

Once accepted, you receive a registration number and personal photo
identification card. Now you are able to purchase medicinal marijuana
through the clinic.

Members of the Medical Compassion Clinic always need to present their
photo identification card to the staff before making their purchase.

Members can also elect to be participants in ongoing medical
research. So far, it has been observed that the Indicas stimulate
appetite, settle nausea, have a relaxing effect on the body, quell
neuropathic pain and induce sleep. The Sativas give energy and help
with depression. Hybrids combine the effects of Indica/Sativas.

We made our first visit to the clinic last July. My son had his
picture taken and was issued his registration number. Security was
tight. A buzzer sounded and we entered a closet-sized room. We faced
a small window. Behind this window was another small room in which a
staff member took our prescription. He measured out the marijuana,
placed it in a small plastic bag and affixed the clinic's label to
it. The buzzer was rung again and the door opened. Back in the main
office, we paid our bill and were issued a receipt.

Unlike illegal street drugs that can be sprayed with chemicals, the
marijuana at the Medical Compassion Clinic is organically grown by
licensed growers and checked by Health Canada inspectors.

Sativas and Hybrids are grown along with Indicas. The names are
descriptive. The Indicas: Cali Orange, Blueberry, Northern Lights and
Skunk. Sativas: Hazey, Kali Mist, Buddha and South African Durban.
The Hybrids: Northern Widow, Jack Herer, Bubblegum and Northern
Skunky Haze. Marijuana butter, cookies and Rice Krispies squares are
also available.

Yes, I've learned the extent a parent will go to help their sick
child. Our son has suffered from Tourette's for 10 years. He has gone
through challenging times when his tics were so bad, he would not go
out in public. In the past, we tried everything we thought would help
- -- traditional medications, blue green algae, essential fatty acids,
mega vitamins and therapy.

Medicinal marijuana is addressing his tics and giving him a sense of
wellbeing. Surely, it's something he deserves. And, until there is a
cure or a magic pill, he'll continue "puffing the magic dragon."

For further information on the Medical Compassion Clinic, go to their
website at: www.medicalcompassionclinic.com or e-mail them at
info@medicalcompassionclinic.com. The clinic can be reached by phone
at 647-291- 0420.

A special thanks to Walter, Franklin and the staff at the Medical
Compassion Clinic -- your ways shine!